educators say 80% of learning depends on a child's ability to see a blackboard or read a book, an impossible burden for 40,000 children here in los angeles who have problems with their vision. >> a lot of times they'll just zone out in the class because they can't see what's going on or they don't fully understand what's being taught. >> good afternoon, express lens up. >> reporter: for vision to learn, the solution is clear. after testing the students, the children's prescriptions are sent here. employees measure, polish and grind out every set of custom lenses. each pair of glasses costs about $100 to make. but for the students, they're free. >> every child should have the tools they need to be successful. and including those tools are glasses. >> reporter: austin butner, a successful investor, founded vision to learn. >> we're taking kids in the school and giving them vision, giving them a chance to learn. >> reporter: one by one, frame by frame, the room comes into focus. >> how excited are you? >> really, really excited. >> reporter: an excitement that resonates with butner every time h